On a warm, sunny Saturday last month, at least 50 kids of all ages are breaking the law in LOVE Park. The place looks like a melting pot with kids of every size and color skateboarding on a grid near the entrance on 15th Street. They’re popping ollies and other tricks that land many of them on their asses. Other kids sit around the edges or try to “grind” their boards on the rectangular planters.

A park ranger named Ben has been on his walkie-talkie for more than an hour, waiting for police to arrive and clear the place out. “It’s a nuisance,” he says, “but kids are gonna do what they’re gonna do, unless there’s real authority here.”

If skating is illegal here, you wouldn’t know it by the number of people riding, until the cops finally arrive. Then a wave of kids run out of the park into city streets, dodging traffic to escape.

Ever since skateboarding was banned from public places in Philadelphia back in 2002, the rules of the cat-and-mouse game between cops and skaters has been simple: The cops come and the skaters run. In the past, when skaters were apprehended, officers just removed the bolts from the wheels, preventing the owner from riding. Sometimes cops would break the boards or make a kid do a trick to get their board back. Worst-case scenario, skaters were arrested or ticketed or verbally reprimanded.

But skaters say the rules have changed recently, and the new protocol is the stuff police brutality videos are made of. The game has turned into an extreme sport—even more dangerous than skateboarding itself.

Kids says cops have gone from ticketing or arresting skateboarders to chasing them with Tasers drawn, tackling them, body-slamming them, clotheslining them and grabbing them by the neck.

Bring up the topic of the militarization of LOVE Park and just about every skater has a story, and those at Nocturnal Skateshop off South Street are no exception. Store manager and co-owner Mark Brandstetter says he’s definitely noticed an uptick in the intensity of the conversation.

“Every day at least twice a day people will come down and be like, ‘Whoa, we just got chased out—they came in through every angle. Every entrance was a cop coming in,’” says Brandstetter, adding that the city is wasting precious resources on the wrong kind of crime.

Skaters Michael Rankine and Jason Klotz attribute the increased strong-arm tactics to a brawl that took place last January after a wedding party entered LOVE Park to have photos taken in front of the famous sculpture.

The duo claims that an overly intoxicated groomsman threatened a crew of young skaters. “I seen the wedding [party] walkin’ into the park. I kinda skated around their wedding. And I seen dudes grillin’ me like crazy,” recalls 21-year-old Klotz, who says he immediately rode around to the other side of the park. “I turn around and see this big dude in a suit go, ‘The next motherfucker to ride their skateboard, I’ma fuck you up!’ He said that, to like, 14-year-old kids.”

Klotz says the wedding party and the skaters got into an arguing match, and things escalated: “One of the wedding dudes swung on my homie and everybody went crazy.”

Rankine says that prior to that incident, things had been mellow between cops and skaters, but since then, police have been putting a car right in front of the park. “For a while they weren’t doing any of that,” says the 26-year-old. “For a while bike cops would come through, but no one was there on the regular—now there’s a lot more presence.”

Rankine and Klotz are no strangers to run-ins with the cops. Rankine says that on Mon., June 1, while riding his skateboard, he was flagged down by an officer in Center City. Rankine swears he wasn’t attempting tricks but still, “he [the cop] said that I can’t ride my skateboard on the sidewalk or anywhere on the street and there’s a new downtown skateboard ordinance that I can’t skate anywhere, basically.”

Rankine arrived at his South Philly home that day with only a warning, but he wasn’t so lucky two months earlier. The skater says last April he was arrested for skateboarding in LOVE at 1 a.m.

Being arrested, though inconvenient and expensive, isn’t really what bothers Rankine. Instead, he points to an incident from last summer that’s more telling of the increasing hostility between cops and skaters. Rankine claims he was skating at City Hall when a bike cop rolled up on him and started screaming in his face about illegally skateboarding. He alleges the officer pinned him into a corner and used his bike as a barricade.

“I had nowhere to go,” says Rankine. “He had his bike across me so I couldn’t even move to my left or to my right. I go to take a step over his tire and he throws his shoulder into me and slams me back into the wall. I try and step the other way and he head-butted me with the top of his helmet.”

Rankine says he didn’t report the incident because “it puts me out there even more. I just let it be because I knew I would be back down there the next day taking the same risks.”

COMMENTS

Comments 1 - 197 of 197

1. Moses Jiggetts said... on Jun 16, 2009 at 08:42PM

“the toys nowadays ( and the nuthugging pharell-esque mafia) need a place to learn like I did. preferably in the city because those are the obstacles that we as riders face everyday, i say open up the concourse at city hall.. aint nothin but the homeless down there anyway. make the kids clean it every so often and that'll be the tradeoff for letting the youth ( and us oldheads that cant drive but can board!) practice

and btw cops need to lay off skaters... they look the other way for drug dealers, repeat offenders , rapists , swindlers and the like, why yall pickin on kids getting *gasp* Exercise!!! my idea for a cleanup works, and if the Fuzz is so worried about damage then hey we break it we buy it simple. use this opportunity to teach not to beat down.. maybe then folks will actually like the police.”

2. Moses Jiggetts said... on Jun 16, 2009 at 09:43PM

“aight, all B.s aside, i say open up the concourse under dilworth plaza and maybe even Dilworth itself as well as south penn concourse to skaters on the weekends , much like kelly drive and mlk drive. make skaters register online with a pic, first visit they get a nice lil armband, and they pay 10 bucks, a one time fee, that gets them an id card that pretty much says " this is who i am and i will adhere to the rules of this space. " simple rules, no graffiti, no drugs, no booze, no violence, any violation of the above will net you jailtime no questions asked. once a month skaters are asked to clean up the space ( the city can donate brooms and trashbags and gloves) that way we build a self monitoring , self sustained community . oh, and just to get police involved they can patrol the joint, yknow make sure the right people are supposed to be there because if you aint helpin out then you need to step off. i'll be drafting this up sometime this week . i got a great idea!”

3. freddy hang time said... on Jun 16, 2009 at 10:44PM

“there's going to be a skater action to commemorate pro-skater JR Neves's passing at LOVE PARK on September 3rd at noon. Pro skaters will be on hand giving away used boards to inner city kids to keep the faith and memory alive...”

4. why said... on Jun 16, 2009 at 11:05PM

“to Moses Jiggetts. Why do you say open up the concourse under dilworth plaza and maybe even Dilworth itself as well as south penn concourse to skaters on the weekends? that has nothing to do with love park! we have the best place to skate in the whole world, its already there. why do all this work for a new place to skate when we have LOVE park already built! I think legalizing skating at love is the best thing to do!”

5. Mike Jones said... on Jun 16, 2009 at 11:32PM

“All I can say is I had a cop pull his gun on me for skating love. I was handcuffed and taken to a police station in their wagon. Sat on a bench for an hour handcuffed while they ran my name through their system to see if i had warrants or priors.”

6. brian said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 12:36AM

“What about all the crackheads at love park! the bike cops ride right past them as they do there drugs just to chase us skaters! Everyone will see the footage i have of this shit soon enough. great article!”

7. Barf said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 12:41AM

“Fuck the police.”

8. Bunch of bratty babies. said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 08:51AM

“I look at the support for skating in Love Park & I see idiotic, juvenile dribble. "F**k da police, y'all see this shit real soon?" I'm against absolute authority & have a big problem with the police, but if you're going to rebel, why not get involved? Get politicisized. These are a bunch of teenage punks looking for a hang out. That hang out is a major Philly landmark & tourist attraction. Look at all these suggestions from people for other places for skaters to go & all the little shits are whining like spoiled little brats. There are bigger problems for the cops to deal with. But you know why the cops f**k with with skaters? Cause they're usually prevligaged suburbian punks who are ignoring the law. The crack heads & homeless are sad & pitiful, sick & broken. Not much you can do with them. And skaters DO destory the public property they skate on. Advice, whether or not it's deserved, if you tell a cop to f**k off, yer getting a can of mace in the face. Way o the world, smarten up.”

9. Alex said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 10:19AM

“I hope the cops break more heads of the boarders. They are damaging public property. My uncle is a stone mason who put the plaza in at the Bell Atlantic Tower at 18th & Arch. As soon as the work was done the asshole skateboarders ruined what took alot of man-hours to make. They are dirtbags. I was walking in the concourse and a group of them tried to gang up on me. Assholes. I am carrying pepper-spray with me now. If you are anything over 15, and still skateboarding, you are a LOSER!!”

10. Speener said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 10:24AM

“Here's the problem - it's not one or two boarders - it's 20 or 30. While the park is for everyone, their type of activity basically takes it away from anyone else that wants to use it to just sit and enjoy. Add to that the fact that you can see the physical damage they do to the location and it makes sense that they need to banned.

That said - the city is clearly at fault for not following through on the promise to build a replacement location for skaters. They may be hooligans, dirtbags, or whatever commenters here have called them, but they're also residents of this city.”

11. Zeke said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 10:53AM

“Yelling old Eazy-E quotes will do nothing for our reputation or our voice. In order to be taken seriously we need to take up our grievance in a more mature manner and get involved in the process where it matters. That being said, we should not stoop to the level that Alex has demonstrated for us through her (I'm assuming it's a her, what kind of guy carries pepper spray?) anger, use of crude language, and horrible generalizations. "I hope the cops break more heads of the boarders."? Nice use of grammar, I take it you're not very well educated. "I was walking on the concourse and a group of them tried to gang up on me." How accurate is that claim? 1. I'm pretty sure skateboarders have better things to do than to gang up on a clearly uneducated girl with obvious anger issues.”

12. Zeke said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 11:06AM

“"If you are over 15 and you skateboard, you are a LOSER!"That's a horrible generalization. I don't think having a Bachelor's Degree, a career, a budding social life, enrollment in grad school, paying taxes, voting, etc. makes anyone a "LOSER" by any means. If anything, typing pejorative expletive-laced venom into discussion boards might make someone just that. Take care.”

13. badger said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 11:08AM

“Remember when the X-games came to Philly and it was held at Love Park. That made $25 million dollars for the city and once the event was over they started handing out tickets and confiscating boards. Not only that, they shut Love Park down days later. LOVE PARK IS GHETTO! SKATERS ARE THE ONES THAT MAKE IT SAFE FOR EVERYDAY PEOPLE!”

14. Kayne Puchon said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 11:17AM

“I have to say that I am the bride of the bridal party that is being discussed. The skateboarders were asked nicely to please step away for 5 minutes so my husband and I could take a few pictures, that we paid a $50.00 permit for, and refused to leave. I have pictures and a DVD in slow motion showing the altertacation and how the skateboarders "thew the first punch." We have yet to recieve an apology from the city of Philadelphia or a refund of our money, since we have not one picture without a skateboarder in it. And for the record, these weren't 14 year old boys, these were men that should have been at work, not skateboarding and acting like 14 year old boys!”

15. Joel said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 11:23AM

“i still don't understand how they don't want to see how skateboarding has helped the city in the past, and how they can make it a benefit for the city, isn't that their work?? „ork for the city's best interests?? Isn't skateboarding an economic activity too?? skatebarding tourism?? remember philly Xgames in 2001 and 2002??? They should follow the examples of other cities that are aware of the benefits that skateboarding and skateboarders can be to a city that works for their citizens best interests.. check this: http://www.vsbc.ca/2009/06/its-officially-skateboarding-week-in-vancouver-june-15-22/”

16. Ryan said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 11:40AM

“To Kayne Puchon:

You are pretty much the worst and I feel bad for your husband for marrying you. I can tell by your doucherific move to have the LOVE sign in wedding photos that you are a huge C. Do you know how many professional skateboarders grew up skateboarding at LOVE? Tons and I can assure you that they most likely make more money than you do a year for riding a piece of wood. You shouldn't jump to conclusions, just because a grown man is skating doesn't mean he isn't working.”

17. Webb said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 11:54AM

“This is obviously a complicated issue. And I see extremes on both sides; retarded sounding skaters "quoting easy-e" and then the every day worker drones who thinks anybody skating that is over a certain age is a loser. What this issue needs is a clear headed person to get some real solutions. I've been skating for most of my life now and I love it a great deal, even with that perspective these anti skate people make some good points whne they aren't calling us losers or saying we deserve to be beaten down. LOVE park IS for everyone, not just skaters. That said there is no reason the cops should be using as much force as they have.

One thing I find kind of straneg is that there isn't more brutality caught on tape. Most skaters travel with some sort of video equipment. I'd believe the claims of brutality a lot more if there were just a few more tapes to prove it.

Anyways I hope you guys get your skatepark. I hope it;s big and designed well.”

18. Leigh-Ann Wilson said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 12:06PM

“To Ryan: I was the maid of honor at the wedding mentioned in this article and witnessed the events that took place that day first hand; you obviously were not there and, therefore, have no right to make the judgements you made. However, let me assure you that none of the "men" present in LOVE park on the day of the wedding were "profressional" in any way, shape or form. In fact, the "professional," "working" men that you're referring to demonstrated behaviors and actions expected of animals, rather than "professionals." The bride, groom and bridal party (many of whom have earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees and earn quite a bit of money, since you seem concerned with the "profressional" status of those actually involved in the altercation) were simply at LOVE park to a take a few pictures and move along. Maybe the skateboarding "professionals" should take some of the money they make "riding a piece of wood" and build a skate park in an appropriate location.”

19. Keith said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 12:07PM

“To Ryan, I don't think that Kayne is necessarily sitting here and trying to belittle the skateboard legacy of Love Park by any means. And as corny as getting a photo taken at Love Park may be to you, especially on your wedding, you have to realize that not all people share that same mindset...to some people it's the perfect idea regardless of how many people have done it before them. You don't want to be talked down to based on your decision to skate at whatever age you are, so why would you talk badly on someone who makes a decision to get a photo taken at a nostalgic location?

The comment about the grown men who should've been at work rather than skating is a bit much to swallow but in reality unless you know who those exact men were who were involved in the altercation were you can't necessarily speak to their social status or acclaimed wealth via skating.

”

20. Keith said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 12:09PM

“Now I grew up skating in Philadelphia...saw the rise and fall of the Love Park era and I can say that right now the reason that it's given such a bad rap in because of people who are only willing to see the situation from a biased standpoint...people who resort to snobbish comments, violence, and immature acts as a means of getting people to see the situation from their side of the fence. Do you really think that works? Zeke pretty much hit the nail on the head and until people act like adults and address the situation in a mature manner, the problems that we see now aren't just going to persist but they'll become all the more prevalent.”

21. specs said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 12:11PM

“Kayne, I'm glad you posted that. i was there that day, have rewatched the footage of the incident a couple different times, and i gotta say, i blame it almost entirely on that cock sucking meathead groomsman with the swine-ish facial features. that man was a complete fucking tool who basically ruined your entire wedding for you. i'm not sure if you know this, but people get their pictures taken there every weekend, weddings included, and we stop for them all of time. that man didn't ask us to stop, he acted like a fuckin guido about it. i apologize to you and your bridal party, you all seemed pretty nice, but that guy has got some serious learning disabilities or something. you should probably immediately cut off all communication with him and make him pay you your refund for being such a macho cunt. by the way, i work a 45 hour week, mon-fri. seeing as it was a sunday, most people aren't at work. including grown men-skateboarders. just some food for thought.”

22. Anonymous said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 12:21PM

“WOW Specs! For being a working man, 45 hours a week, mon-fri, you have quite the mouth on ya! Hope you aren't using language like that at work 45 hours a week, mon-fri. Also, with working so much and skating on your downtime, its shocking that you even have time to rewatch the footage of the incident a couple different times! Get a life! U r pathetic. Also, the wedding was a Saturday, not a Sunday. Get your facts straight kiddo!”

23. Jen Lunatie said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 12:32PM

“Hey Zeke! You really are getting a little too old for skateboarding...You should focus on finishing graduate school...How old are you now?”

24. specs said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 12:33PM

“Hey Jen! Every heard of hobbies? some people play ball in their offtime. zeke skateboards in his. you should focus on getting a life or a hobbie of your own. how much do you weigh now???”

25. Zeke said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 12:34PM

“Jen,

Thanks for the inquiry. I am in my mid to late 20's and use skateboarding to help me take my mind off of work and grad school. Believe me, I would like nothing more than to get this Master's Degree out of the way. Too old though? Age is nothing but a number, I don't think anyone is too old to surf, snowboard, play organized soccer/softball, or run down Broad Street like a madman (especially in May or October).”

26. Anonymous said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 12:40PM

“Skateboarders actions are turning the park into a wasteland, are driving 90% of center city population away from the area, and are a deterrant to other citizens who would take time out. Relocate or get rid of the skateboarders destroying LOVE park. Robert Indiana would be justified in demanding his sculpture removed from its setting. It 's a pity to see this park turned into a wasteland by a group of unconcerned adolescents. Any adult who compulsively engages in skateboarding with them has no conception of doing better with his/her life. LOSER perfectly describes this form of adult.Background: Lived in the city 20 years.”

27. Anonymous said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 12:48PM

“Well said!!!!!!!”

28. Jen Lunaite said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 12:52PM

“Zeke & Specs: I was just joking with you. Don't you remember me?

”

29. Well... said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 12:57PM

“While you bring up Robert Indiana's work of art. Keep in mind Edmund Bacon designed Love Park and thought skateboarding within it was a great thing.

And are you sure it's the skateboarder's actions, or the people who call it their home? Last I checked, there were two murders in the park completely unrelated to skateboarding.

And say you did get your wish and the skateboarders were nowhere to be found. Wawa and 7-11's sales would drop sporadically. There would still be urine covering 90% of the park. Not to mention mice and homeless manure.”

30. G!! said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 01:11PM

“Kayne Puchon: Seems like you did something wrong by having that groomsmen in your wedding. Next time don't fuck with skateboarders.

Alex: To the lady that carries around pepper spray. You are a douche. I hope the next time you are in an altercation with a skater you get a board to the dome piece. Some people will never learn. Bitch.

Free Love Park. Stop Police on Skater Crimes.

We will always skate Love no matter what. You can't stop us...Ever. We own the City and the Streets. Take your hatred and conformist values and shove em all up your own bigoted closeminded assholes.

Peace, Love and Happy Skateboarding.

”

31. brian said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 01:13PM

“I dont think Robert India minds the skateboarders.. I do think he minds that his name isnt within miles of the sculpture.. Dont think he wants it gone eitherway..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM96ZG-yKUI”

32. kbot215 said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 01:17PM

“we will fix it!”

33. Chuck Puchon said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 01:20PM

“To Ryan:

You do not have to feel sorry for me at all! My wife and I are very happy and I love her very much. Further, if you actually knew us, you would know that we are well educated people, with great careers and we make plenty of money. I am aware that many people make lots of money skateboarding and good for them. Is that your line of work? Also, together we decided to take a picture at love park on our wedding day because it is an amazing monument that showcases the beauty of the city. Unfortunately, that day was overshadowed by the large group of skaters that did not extend any consideration towards us. Additionally, the video that we have documents how "tough" 25 plus skaters (using their boards as weapons) were against 11 men and 11 women. Those skaters really revealed what such great people they were. Finally, Ryan, I believe you are the big douche and an even bigger d*ck for talking to a lady like that.”

34. Feldt said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 01:25PM

“I know it's easy for many of you to sit up high on your horse and belittle the skateboard community, but the fact of the matter is that we are laughing! Have you realized that skateboarding is a billion dollar industry? Look what we (the skateboard community) have done for ourselves in the past 30 years. I see nothing childish here seeing as we have succeeded in opening thousands or parks and businesses directly tied to skateboarding. It is definitely a great achievement on every single skateboarder in the world's part. The truth of the matter is that skateboarders do face harassment from police on a daily basis. There is nothing I can see changing here, but if skateboarding at Love Park was legalized it would be extremely beneficial for the city and people. Skateboarders are friendly people, granted you have your anti-social everywhere, and are able to mingle with the rest of society. The damage skateboarding has caused to Love Park is so minimal the average citizen doesn't even”

35. Feldt said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 01:33PM

“notice it. Now for that one wedding. How many weddings are there a weekend? Usually every weekend there are anywhere from 4-8 weddings that pass through while the skateboarders are there. Never before that wedding had there ever been an altercation, that fact of the matter is that weddings are always very easy for us to work with. Not this wedding. The big guido guy who was trying to fight every single skateboarder he saw, including 12 year old kids, who must of been wasted off his ass, ruined the day for you guys. I am sorry, if you don't feel like it was his fault then you need to take a step back and look. I am sorry people got hit and your wedding wasn't the most perfect day of your life, but you can lay the blame on your big guido friend who was drunk and 'roid raging out of his mind. The fact of the matter is that if asked nicely we would of able to move everyone so you could of got your picture, quick, but your friend came in huffing and puffing.”

36. Anonymous said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 01:33PM

“well,just put it this way guys...let love park be how they want it to be...free from skateboarders...and let things fall like it should do...cause i believe that the park,THAT BIG OLD PARK,would fall from it's grace.see if these business man,businesswomen or what so ever,even the one that took thier pics there,would even care less about love park more than the skater's do.if you seemed care bout the park,go there and spend only 15 mins of your life and see what had happen to love park right now.”

37. Zeke said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 01:34PM

“The wedding fight should never have happened regardless of who instigated or who was defending themselves.”

38. Diego said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 01:39PM

“when Love park and several other inner city parks that have now been made illegal to skate (not only in America but also overseas) were legal to skate they forced the lowlifes out of those public parks that the city erected in order to allow people to enjoy them rather than go to the park and see some random person drugged out of their mind puking in a trashcan or shitting in the bushes, we should take note from places like Barcelona who I believe it may have been a year or so ago reopened one of their parks back up to skating and guess what Barcelona's number one spot in which drug deals and murders took place has suddenly disappeared crime rates in that park are now down to ridiculously low levels and the crimes take place...lets hear it......during the hours that skaters are not around...wow amazing isn't it?”

39. Feldt said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 01:42PM

“As for the first punch, I am 100 positive you can see one of your men in the wedding attack a skateboarder first, going to choke him out. The whole fight was your fault, skateboarders were only protecting their friends and themselves. I have the quicktime file right here, in slow motion too! God only knows how horrible it would be for you guys if it somehow surfaced up on youtube, or somewhere else. Then everyone else would realize how rash your guido friend and his buddies acted on your wedding day. As for being educated, we'll obviously many of you in the wedding were not well educated, as an educated person would not come in yelling and trying to fight a bunch of 13 year olds. Id love to have a reunion in 15 years, so we can see where the skateboarders are and where you guys made it. Im guessing many of us will have our bachelors and masters and a successful career. And it wouldn't suprise me if I can find you guys at the trailer park in South Jersey working the local gas pump.....”

40. Anonymous said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 01:44PM

“i will be there filming cops at there prime sunday, for sure”

41. fuck skater haters said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 01:44PM

“to the people who keep saying were to old to skate... there is no age limit you cock suckers ur just fucking jealous you cant ollie a motorcycle or anything cool like that. if you dont realize how fun skating is for us thats fine but dont judge. were not like the rest of the world who just sits at a computer or a tv all day and acts like a bunch of fat ass loser consumers that this nation is made of so dont fucking judge us. ILL SKATEBOARD OR DIE HATERSSS”

42. Gabe Larue said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 01:46PM

“Cops would rather worry about busting kids riding skateboards, therefore filling there quota without having to fight any real crime.”

43. Ryan said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 01:47PM

“To Chuck Puchon:

For the record I do not talk to every lady like that just ones that sound douche-y for lake of a better term. My apologizes if you or she was offended, but from the text I read, that is how she was coming off. I can also not speak for every skateboarder but the company that I keep are respectful and would have moved no problem as long as we were asked in a polite respectful manner. On the other hand if you come at us disrespectfully we would give you the exact same back. I also wasn't there during this situation, but common sense tells me that 2 groups of guys arguing can only escalate. Someone has to be the better person and walk away/ end it without going to that next level. In this instance it seems neither group was willing to play that part. Also just because you have degrees and office jobs doesn't mean your life is better. Remember this next time you "I hate my job". I am getting paid to do something I truly love in life, and we only get one so I'm living Happy”

44. Diego said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 01:48PM

“and LOSERS? really cause I mean I'm currently a college student (who happens to deal with the same verbal abuse for skating on a daily basis) It's not that we're losers let's set this straight its because those people who throw those accusations out have never had real dreams or never wanted to do anything amazing with their lives they simply go to college and get a 9 to 5 because it's "what normal people do" well I'll tell you this: I don't want to be a "normal" person I don't want to be a robot for some system who gives me nothing but money, no happiness no benefit money that's it, is that really what life's about? maybe you should seriously sit down and reevaluate your life because you have absolutely no right to call anyone a loser for doing something they love. If anyone's a loser its you; the pompous asshole who feels the need to heckle someone like a skater on your way to your paper pushing job in order to justify your existence and your shitty life.”

45. Anonymous said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 01:55PM

“never in my life have I heard a skater or a REAL DREAMER tell another person that as soon as they find a job they have to make that job their life and never do anything else, no in fact the only people I've heard say that to another person are those who work robot jobs, businessmen bankers politicians the like; never ever EVER EVER EVER give up your dreams you CAN do anything you put your mind to and accomplish it; those suits just feel the need to tell you that so that they can stay in power and destroy your life DON'T ever stop skating because you get heckled. If Scientists, Artists, Musicians gave up their dreams because someone walked up to them and said "you're how old and you still do WHAT?" then imagine what the world would be today, it would be DRASTICALLY different I can assure you”

46. Jen Lunaite said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 01:55PM

“Hey Zeke! Can you teach me to skateboard? Specs is right...I am a little on the heavy side :) Maybe I do need a hobby....”

47. Ryan said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 01:59PM

“51. Anonymous- you have a good point lets get all the skateboarders together and go to the entrances of all the high rise business' and heckle all the suits and ties walking in.”

48. Keith said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 01:59PM

“Zeke will teach you to treflip...he's got them on lock I heard.

As for the majority of the comments, if you want to represent your group in the most positive of lights, how about you stop inserting "douche", "cunt", and "fuck" every few words for that dramatic effect...it really gets old fast.”

49. Diego said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 02:00PM

“I was the one who wrote 51 and I'll write plenty more if you wanna argue, I'm done for now but don't ever try to argue against Dreaming and by calling a skateboarder a loser you do just that you argue against dreaming, you argue against living, you argue against freedom, so go ahead heckle me but when I'm on my death bed I'll be able to say I lived my life for me and for God no one else, because I never let the dreamer in me die and because no one else has any right to tell you how to live; what will YOU be able to say on your death bed think about that before you point your dirty fingers at someone who's LIVING a REAL LIFE.”

50. Rebecca said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 02:03PM

“First of all: f*ck the Puchon family and the events that happened that day. Everyone seems to be overlooking the main problem in this story: the overload of police brutality in this city against people committing "crimes". People and Policemen/women are dying by the hands of real criminals and what are the police doing about it? Walking around club and taser threatening people on skateboards. This is ridiculous.

Don't we have bigger issues in Philadelphia? Shouldn't cops be focused more on protecting us from hard criminals than chasing kids/adults with hobbies away from a damn park?

Until the city can give them a place to skate then I say f*ck this sh*t keep on skating LOVE. And shame to the police. Why don’t you go back up your fellow officers so we can stop losing innocent lives?”

51. Ryan said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 02:04PM

“Diego:

I'm backing you 100%!! If only Go Skate Day was on a weekday we could actually talk shit to the robots going inside to crunch numbers.”

52. Diego said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 02:05PM

“To Ryan: my point was not to incite any "heckling" in any direction my point simply was not all those in business are happy with what they do, they do it simply for the status and the money not for the love of it but I've never in my life seen a skater who's not happy with their job and/or lifestyle so someone who is most likely not even happy with what they are doing with their life has NO right to call a skater or a dreamer a loser.”

53. Chuck Puchon said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 02:11PM

“To Ryan:

For the record, my wife and I were the first to enter the park with our photographer and videographer and we did indeed ask politely for the 25 plus skaters to stop for a minute while we take our photos. Unfortunately, certain skaters refused to stop, skating directly in front of us (have the footage to prove it). As a result, members of the bridal party entered the park to try and reason with the skaters to give us some time. Of course, "the big guy" gets blamed for being the instigator, but we need not forget that while the discussion escalated, it was one of the skaters that launched a skateboard at our bridal party nearly hitting a female in the head. There is always going to be two sides to this story and the discussion will go on about who is to blame. The bottom line is that a senseless altercation took place because people did not use common sense and extend consideration to others.Further, I love my job too, so I guess we are just lucky people.”

54. Zeke said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 02:12PM

“I've never taught an overweight girl how to skate, I normally just dance with them.

The tre flip is still a work in progress.

But you are right about the use of obscenities. Does nothing to help our cause.”

55. Anonymous said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 02:13PM

“Ryan & Diego: I have a robot job & skate. What is wrong with that?”

56. Richie (11th and Watkins) said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 02:14PM

“I used to live in 19148 and I had to call the cops, and LIE, before the kids congregated on my property to drink, sell and buy drugs, litter, and urinate, every night. I even watched cops drive by up to an hour after I had called. This changed when I spoke directly with Chief Wolf. After our conversation, the kids never gathered on my stoop again. Maybe the cops at love just aren't related to the skaters?

”

57. Keith said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 02:17PM

“To Ryan:

How old are you? Just wondering based on your responses.

As to your comments about being "robots", am I a robot because I have a 9-5 job working Monday - Friday? Because I'm pretty sure I do a ton aside from that, I'm just smart enough to realize that it's essential in order to maintain the expensive hobbies that I enjoy (skateboarding, snowboarding, cycling, surfing, etc.). You talk as if having a full-time job in a cubicle is such a horrible thing but what if it's related to say...oh your passion?. I work with photography all day long...something that I love and went to school to study. And on top of that, I get paid quite well to do it and having amazing medical benefits. Why is that so bad? Wouldn't that just mean I'm successful? Have you ever tried to pay for a broken limb without insurance? Quite the setback if you're only making minimum wage trying to "live the dream".”

58. Ryan said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 02:18PM

“Ok so there is a sign that says "NO SKATEBOARDING" at LOVE. Does anyone think if we went to the park and started playing baseball or football the cops would come and kick us out. The truth is they wouldn't and there is more risk involved in those activities. You can look at the stats skateboarding is growing past those 2 by leaps and bounds. Heres a fun experiment drive by a skate park and count the kids skating, then drive past a basketball court, football field or baseball diamond and count those kids. I'm confident skateboarding numbers are higher. And yet the city doesn't want to acknowledge these facts and give us somewhere to skate that is actually something we would skate. They waste their money on pre fab ramps and get no public input before they do so.”

59. Anonymous said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 02:18PM

“to rebecca:

wow!!!! a little harsh on the family. you sound like a real classy gal! of course, why not bash the police while your at it.

”

60. Diego said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 02:20PM

“And as for the argument about the wedding or whatever this argument is about, look Chuck is it? I will personally apologize to you for the stupidity of some skateboarders ( I don't even live in Philly and have never even been to love park for that matter) but the fact of the matter is that the situation escalated people argued, I'm guessing you didn't get your photos but its over, the situation cannot be reversed you can't go back in time and change the outcome what happened happened let it go, some (if not most of) the people who feel the need to still argue with you and call you obscenities and such aren't going to stop they're most likely some 14 year old kid who wants to use this to pose as some adult figure, wouldn't you have argued if you were younger (I'm gonna go with yes) but just drop it now its over look to the future not the past, kids will be kids, and a million other cliches and such..THE END.”

61. Jen Lunaite said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 02:21PM

“Zeke: Let's dance then! Dancing will help me lose weight & then you can teach me to skate...I would really like to do a tre flip...whatever that is...

Do you want to meet at love park next Saturday, June 27th? We can dance under the sign :)

”

62. Diego said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 02:25PM

“Why does everyone feel the need to start arguments just for the sake of arguing?

JEEZ.

To Keith:

I was the one who made the accusations of people being robots not Ryan so aim your arguments correctly first off, second off I NEVER said ALL those who work in business are robots please PLEASE read all of my comments and digest them before you start shotgun blasting accusations out there, I said the people who aren't happy with what they're doing are the robots not the ones who are living their passion, I talk a lot about dreaming and stuff....PLEASE read my other stuff over again.”

63. Anonymous said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 02:26PM

“i honestly think the best solution is to let the kids skate there. i live in philly and when there aren't skaters there are hobos and crack addicts. they aren't harming anyone and the damages done to the ledges are already there. there is no point in prohibiting it. the money they get from fines doesn't pay the price of one cop chasing skateboarders around all day.”

64. Ryan said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 02:33PM

“Keith:

I am 22. Fortunately I have had no serious injuries to pay for since being dropped from my parents at 18. I do however have independent health insurance that I pay for through the same provider as my car insurance at a really good rate. Always be prepared, that's what I have learned in life thus far. Further I classify a "robot" job as one just going through the motions/ "being a normal person". So I wouldn't say you're job is a "robot job" at all. I work a part time job and skate full time. And Chuck whatever your occupation is I don't know but you mean to tell me you dreamt of that job since a youth.”

65. Ryan said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 02:36PM

“Also everyone is forgetting that DC shoes offered the City $1,000,000 to make skateboarding legal in the park.”

“Ha, everyone on this string loves their job and makes a ton of money. Now I know everyone is lying!To get back to the point of the article.....fact of the matter is skateboarding in LOVE Park is illegal. I do realize they damage some of the property but I also realize the value that the park has within the skating community but regardless, these points and everyone else's point is moot; being that skating in LOVE Park is illegal. So my question to Zeke, Specs and the rest of the boys is why do you expect the cops to leave you alone, to not arrest you and to treat you with respect when you know your activity is illegal. (note: I did not say wrong, just illegal) You cognitively continue to perform the same acts and expect a different result. Do the skateboarders need a place to skate, sure. Are you wrong for skating at any age, no. Does the lawbook of the city of Philadelphia state that skateboarding in LOVE Park is illegal, absolutely. I guess that leads to the wedding...”

68. Jen Lunaite said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 02:56PM

“Zeke: I can't wait! I'll bring a skateboard just in case you change your mind about teaching me after dancing :) Do you want to meet at 3:00pm since the ranger should be gone?

A picnic basket would be nice :) I might get hungry after dancing...I'll bring a blanket...

What should I wear?”

69. Gabbage said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 02:59PM

“If there was not skateboarders in the park that day there would have been no reason for someone to "roid out" as one person stated. There would have been no need to ask people to give time to take pictures and there certainly would not have been a fight.

So I guess my point

F the skateboarders!!!!! Ha ha ha ha!”

70. Anonymous said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 03:00PM

“to Chuck:there were more cameras than you think.. you didn't see shit till you saw our side of the story, your camera man was being blocked majority of the time”

71. Lady said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 03:11PM

“What kind of person, regardless of education or socioeconomic status, throws a skateboard at a bunch of people?”

72. Zeke said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 03:19PM

“Jen,

I prefer Applebottom jeans and boots with the fur.

Thank you.”

73. Anonymous said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 03:29PM

“I don't know why so many people are complaining about not being able to skate love park...it isn't as bad as it was 10 years ago...every time I skated recently the cops don't even chase you a block before they give up...they used to have undercover cops dress up like homeless people and just grab you..they had the undercover flowervan..chased us with battery powered dirt bikes down in the subways...and the tickets used to be more than $75...The cops don't even seem to care much now...They just come up to love park and watch everyone run...they don't really chase us like they used to and I'm happy with that..”

74. Anonymous said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 03:32PM

“Does someone want to post these videos up on youtube?”

75. Anonymous said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 03:33PM

“lady, not only was he defending himself, but his friends.. if you were there, you would have understood the situation a lot better.. and with the reaction to one of the ladies in the dresses saying "stop it so and so!" as shes pulling the macho ego trippin dude back shes seen that guy drunk and belligerent before..”

76. Jen Lunatie said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 03:33PM

“Zeke: you are too funny! I'll try to get some fur boots :) this message board is getting a little crazy. I can't believe how much people are complaining! It really isn't that bad...See my other message :)”

77. scottsmith said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 03:47PM

“If you are anything over 15, and still riding a bike, you are a LOSER!! If you are anything over 15, and still rollerblading, you are a LOSER!! If you are anything over 15, and still playing hockey, you are a LOSER!! If you are anything over 15, and still playing baseball, you are a LOSER!! If you are anything over 15, and still enjoy jogging, you are a LOSER!! If you are anything over 15, and still playing basketball, you are a LOSER!! If you are anything over 15, and still playing football, you are a LOSER!! If you are anything over 15, and still lift weights, you are a LOSER!! If you are anything over 15, and still rock climbing, you are a LOSER!! If you are anything over 15, and still playing hockey, you are a LOSER!!

See how ridiculous this generalized logic sounds when put into perspective? Besides, if you are anything over 15, and not doing any of these types of activies, are you probably OVERWEIGHT and UNHEALTHY. Worry about yourself.”

78. The Giver said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 03:48PM

“Aside from the cursing and various other forms of immature behavior on all sides most people here make valid points. The wedding family is right in the fact that a skateboard should not have been thrown in their general area however what do they not know is that the person who threw it immediately said everyone needs to chill. There was so much nonsensical arguing on both parts that in the heat of the moment it probably seemed like the best way to get everyone’s attention. How do I know this, I was standing behind him. As far as the skateboarders go, they should not have been skating in the pictures and from what I remember the majority of the skaters were little kids, that is the skateboarders fault. An older skater should have gone up to them and told them stop, something that happens on a daily basis when people want their pictures taken.”

79. The Giver said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 03:49PM

“However, what most people choose to forget about love park is that they get their picture taken at the love fountain and then walk through making their time in there usually around 5 minutes. This does not hold true to everyone but the majority of people, including the wedding reception who, without any altercation, would have been there for 5 minutes. Five minutes, skateboarders generally spend at least 4-6 hours in love park, and they would spend all day in there if they could. If you sat there and watched you would notice that when pedestrians walk through and smile maybe make a nice comment towards one of the skateboarders they would respond positively. Everyone talking on the board is human and everyone deserves to be treated like one.”

80. The Giver said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 03:49PM

“The police do not need to body slam 12 year old children and people do not need to call other adults losers for their decisions in life. Just because skateboarders want to continuing doing what they love does not mean they need to be judged by you. As far as the issue goes with police and the legality of skateboarding in love park and its effects on the community as well as the park that is what the real debate is here. And as far as I am concerned the skateboarders deserve a place to skate and instead of spending 5 million of money the city does not have, just leave Love Park alone and make designated times that skateboarders can skate. That seems like a logical compromise.”

81. Lady said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 03:51PM

“He had to defend himself by throwing a "piece of wood" into a crowd of people?? You're right, that makes sense...using weapons to shut someone up when they asked you to move for a picture. You're so right! These skaters are just misunderstood! Ha unbelieveable...”

82. Anonymous said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 04:00PM

“then maybe he shouldn't have started shit, things would have been fine if they were asked to get out from the shot without being threaten with force to move”

83. Adam Foizen said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 04:10PM

“Thank you PW for having this article! LOVE means so much to a lot of different people, tensions about this subject can run high. It is the root problem we face as a city. How do we want to live together? People are struggling right now, just to eat and survive another day. We worry about damage to a rock, that can be replaced. A life cannot. Look to all those who have already been lost. I know many and I am sure you do too. What if skating didn't lead to conflict. It is so creative! How many great minds have been lost. The downward spiral. Even when you have nothing, you have the board. I turn to it in my hour of need and it gets me through anything. I don't believe LOVE is lost, but it is going to take hard work to see it through. Its going to take more than just skaters. It is going to take friends and family. It going to mean voting. Its going to mean volunteering. I know we can do it. We will show them all just how creative the mind of the skateboarder can be.”

84. The Giver said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 04:21PM

“Lady what you are doing is taking what I said and turning it around. if you took the time to read it you would notice that i said he threw it as a way to get everyones attention. Saying that it almost hit a member of the wedding party is a sorry attempt by the wedding party to garner sympathy for something that happened to them nearly half a year ago. The skateboarders there suffer what they suffered on a daily basis. So before you put your input in you should educate yourself on the debate, as I stated before the debate is over skateboarders skating at Love park and as per this argument your input has not been helpful. You have attempted several times to exploit the skateboarder throwing his board down as a form of violence, when in fact it was more of a way to get people's attention. Just because people skateboard does not mean they are violent.”

85. brian said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 05:08PM

“acctualy when it snows we r the first ones out there shovelin it. please carry sand to lovepark. Id love u to meet my Z3P Leaf Blower 3000!”

86. SkateNerd said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 05:22PM

“PW, as a skater I am thankful for the article. It's sad to see the same arguing happening again and again. In short the city really needs to embrace skateboarding better regardless of the poor actions of a select few. Skateboarding is social, healthy and better for you then watching television. These days it unites people from around the globe regardless of age, color or sex. I believe LOVE Park as a tourist destination is becoming as well known as the Liberty Bell. To ignore this aspect of Philadelphia's history is just a poor decision in every way. We want more tourist dollars, not less.”

87. SkateNerd said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 05:25PM

“Also, the information is already organized. Read the below quote from the Friends of Love Park.

"FOLP obtained 10,000 signatures in support of the Balanced Solution, from 40 countries across the globe. Additionally, FOLP secured over $1,000,000 in contributions to fund the initial renovations and activities of the organization. The Balanced Solution, in short, limited skateboarding to after 3:00 PM on weekdays, separating it from the lunch crowd; created pedestrian-only pathways separated by grass strips from the areas where skateboarding is permitted; and established that a nonprofit organization would raise the funds to pay for the park's maintenance, thereby relieving the taxpayer of any such cost."

> http://www.ushistory.org/lovepark”

88. John martin said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 05:27PM

“ever see cityhall? u cant even sit on the benches anymore! theirs metal pegs and holes cut out of them ever 6 inches! skateboarding never did that much damage! i never skated in my life but i know from living in philadelphia for 15 years that the damage done by skaters is less then the damage from bums pissing on everything. Let them skate there for a few hrs a day! If they opened it to skaters from 2 am to 4 am i guarantee they would be there.”

89. Anonymous said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 05:40PM

“I want to see more skateboarders skating in LOVE and not just sitting on benches... what a tease! Skateboarding is not only an awesome sport to participate in, but it is so much fun to watch! Give the tourists in LOVE something cool to watch instead of sad homeless people and drug addicts peeing in the corners. It is simply irrational that skateboarding is illegal in the city. A skateboard is a mode of transportation just like a bicycle or blades. The laws against skateboarding are absolutely discriminatory and the claims about the "damage" it causes is simply too weak to mention any further. Police - stop wasting your time beating up innocent kids! The idea of allowing skateboarding in LOVE during "low-peak" hours sounds like a very good compromise and I think that's a great start.”

90. Alex said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 05:48PM

“To Zeke and to the other posters who must have submitted 10 posts each: Is that what you do all day? You spend way too much time on the internet. Zeke, you are still a loser especially when you inflate yourslef with these needless accolades to yourself. Anyone, especially those in graduate school, who feel it is OK to break the law and destroy public property by something as pathetic as skateboarding is a moron.”

91. skater Dude said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 06:07PM

“If we all just take handfuls of wax candles down to Love Park and wax sporadically on the ledges, we would see a quick start to skating love normally. You think those scumbags have ever bitched us out for skating at love before? They don't know how fun it is.”

92. Matt Kosoy said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 06:22PM

“@Alex -- Skateboarders look at the world from a different perspective, and it's closed-minded people such as yourself that are the problem. Not us.

Are you trying to take credit for the hard work that your Uncle did? That's wack. If 18th and Arch were still skateable today you'd be seeing it in videos, which would ultimately be honoring the work that your family member did. Way to be a douche, Douche.

Anwyay, real skaters know that there's no skate but what you make.

”

93. Anthony said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 06:25PM

“Half of the people arguing the "wedding fight," were either not there or telling a version to make their side look a little better. I don't skateboard and I wasn't in the wedding party. What had happened was the bride and groom came in with the photographer. They asked people to stay away from the love sign, which was agreed upon. They tried taking pictures a bit, but became increasingly frustrated with skateboarders at the bottom of the park, an area that they had not even asked to clear out. The other wedding party members came in, drinks and cigarettes in hand, loud voices in tow, and a false sense of authority over people they'd never met. Without even knowing the situation, or that this bottom area was not asked to clear out, a groomsman shouted and I quote, "Next motherf*cker who skates by here is getting f*cked up." This alerted several older skateboarders from the still not addressed bottom section, and they came and sussed the situation out up top. Upon their arrival on the”

94. Anthony (continued) said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 06:33PM

“Wow, posting in two separate boxes makes it very easy to lose your train of thought! Anyway, upon reaching the top, the older skateboarders, oblivious to the specifics of the situation unfolding were greeted with more talk of physical pain if they did not comply. This is where the misunderstanding took place. The wedding party was not correct in assuming that the bride and groom asked the bottom section to clear out, and the older skateboarders from the bottom were not correct in assuming this was the first time the kids up top had been asked. Several skateboarders responded in an equally macho manner, and tension rose quickly. By now the groomsmen had skateboarders surrounded and yes several skateboarders held on to their boards as protection. This sounds unreasonable but in their defense, not one of them could equal half the size of these groomsmen. The man accused of "throwing his board" at the crowd did nothing of the sort. He was the only one of both groups yelling for everyone to”

95. kbot215 said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 06:35PM

“the pic on this article is great...”

96. Anthony (continued, again!) said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 06:39PM

“-calm down and listen to reason. He dropped his board to show that he wasn't going to hit anyone with it after being responded to with, "go ahead and hit me f*ggot." When the board was dropped a bridesmaid who was busy screaming at her friends walked almost directly into it. It made absolutely no contact with her, but it obviously frightened her, as it would anyone. This gave the groomsmen, who in ALL FAIRNESS were at least slightly intoxicated by this point in the day, their excuse to throw a punch. Like a domino effect, once this punch was thrown the situation escalated into a full fight. I kept my distance as to not get confused for one of the members of either group, but it was intense. I saw no skateboarders actually use their boards in the fight. A few younger ones tried to, but no blows were really landed. Older skateboarders tended to fight with fists.”

“The situation was the result of two parties not being able to communicate. Blaming it on anything else is childish. I saw skateboarders video taping the event, but only still photos being taken by the wedding party. I could have missed something in the action, but I am almost certain thats the case. In which case, I have to question the video evidence that the wedding party claims to have. Either way, those are the facts of the fight, which I'm sure will not be agreed upon.”

98. Dustin Umberger said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 06:56PM

“I am a 29 year-old middle school math/science teacher. I have been a skateboarder for over 20 years and have closely followed the scene since the late 1980's. In my view, skateboarders are facing complex challenges today - the media and popular culture embrace skateboarding, the skateboard industry has grown tremendously since the 90's, and the popularity of skateboarding continues to rise despite the increased criminalization of skateboarding in non-designated areas. Young skateboarders see the professionals and competitive amateurs breaking the law in videos and magazines, and coporate media continues to promote street skating in its advertising and promotion of products. It is expected, therefore, that authentic skaters must break the law in order to participate as a member of the skate culture. Despite the increased number of skateparks around the world, many skateboarders still prefer street skating due in part to the pervasive message that skateboarders are inherently rebellious.”

99. wedding group anonymous? said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 07:08PM

“in reply to:“WOW Specs! For being a working man, 45 hours a week, mon-fri, you have quite the mouth on ya! Hope you aren't using language like that at work 45 hours a week, mon-fri. Also, with working so much and skating on your downtime, its shocking that you even have time to rewatch the footage of the incident a couple different times! Get a life! U r pathetic. Also, the wedding was a Saturday, not a Sunday. Get your facts straight kiddo!”

I say, we can go back and forth with this all day, all month, all year, how long has it been since the wedding?"i'm surprised you have enough time to watch the tapes back working 45hrs a week" Isn't that silly now, you apparently have a degree and also the rest and/or most of the wedding party have the same or equal status; so you must work hard too? how comes you have the time to even write this? its just picking at small petty things, making you look silly again.And in response to do you speak that language for 45 hours in your job?cont...”

100. Johnny C said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 07:10PM

“LOL @ whatever Jen and Zeke are doing.LOL @ fake, tough-guy, internet superheroes talking sh*t about skaters. Why don't you go become the anti-skater Batman or something? LOL. Back up your internet sh*t-talking with some good ol' vigilante justice. Say you're pathetic insults to our face in a one piece spandex jumpsuit and a cape, b*tches...”

101. Anonymous said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 07:15PM

“do you work 45 hours a week with that mouth also is a silly thing to say when the groom, on HIS wedding day even felt like swearing at all and/or using threatening behavior. Its a sad thing; but people who can't talk in a situation turn to threats and violence. I'm not saying you didn't hear bad things from skateboarders mouths, but i'm sure they felt threatened by the groom (a grown man) and I bet that when entering the park, the Bride was nervous about making the pictures "perfect". It's so nice the groom was ONLY looking out for his new wifes big day. Looks like he shot himself in the foot and didn't expect to get that response from a bunch of "loser kids". Also who's hurt the most? the wedding party! why? that had a very BAD approach and lost their temper way to early. Moving on; your married now, get on with it! we're fighting a cause we believe in EVERYDAY!”

102. Anonymous said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 07:22PM

“also is there a law about how you should spend your time outside work? seem to be a big focus for people who don't skateboard. Do you watch television? Do you read a newspaper? wow i'm surprised you have time WORKING, this is silly. There are idiots in everything, football, basketball, weddings, police, skateboarders, bmxers, painters, countries, states, and you know what there are champions, great humans, amazing people in all of these too, so why are the people taking the upper stance of "im a non skateboarder good citizen" and all skateboarders are losers? how much longevity have these statements got? so silly.

WE WILL FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS IN THIS WORLD!!GO SKATEBOARDERS OF PHILLY GO!!!!!!!!!!!

SKATEBOARDERS OF ENGLAND BACK YOU!!!!!!”

103. I really feel bad for some of you... said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 07:42PM

“It's so sad to see "adults" and "educated" people here talk badly about these skaters. Some of them(educated adults) have, ironically, stooped down to the level of a 14 year old to talk trash on them. It's easy to hide behind a computer and type all these negative things about skateboarding, but when it comes down to it, none of you will say these things to any skater in person. Grow up and dont be such cowards.

I am 27 years old and just got back into skateboarding. I have an undergraduate degree from Berkley and masters from Tufts. I drive a Lexus LS470L Hybrid with a skateboard in the trunk. Open your minds for once and stop generalizing skateboarders. I've lived everywhere around the world and it seems like Philadelphia has many uncultured, close minded people. No wonder Philadelphia was voted "The Most Unattractive City."

”

104. Feldt said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 08:24PM

“I will own Love Park, all of Philadelphia and the rest of the world in 12 years anyways......so soon the problem will be solved”

105. Pitcrew said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 08:25PM

“Well, we know where all the cops will be on Go Skateboarding Day! Perfect opportunity to practice my "criminal" activities where the cops aren't.”

106. millsssssss said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 09:27PM

“Every skateboarder should show up to love on sunday june 21st.... Every anti skateboarder should show up to love on sunday june 21st..... Every cop who with glory in his eyes and no real crimes to fight should show up to love on sunday june 21st.... and no one leaves till PW and every other bs paper has a REAL story.”

107. SCUM said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 09:59PM

“never going to stop skating the city.”

108. Common folk said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 11:08PM

“Let them skate there for a few hours a day. I guarantee if the city will just embrace love parks history for skateboarding it will bring in more tourists than the city can even imagine. The politicians have no idea that embracing this new culture of skateboarding they will be uplifting the community mentally, economically, and physically. THIS IS THE CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE, HAVE LOVE FOR A BROTHER RIDING HIS BOARD THAT HE BOUGHT IN A PUBLIC SPACE AT THE LOVE PARK PUBLIC SPACE<< THE PARK WAS BUILT FOR THE PUBLIC THE PUBLICS CHILDREN SKATEBOARD LET THEM LEARN!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wheres the love at, all i see is cops with gats, if they want us to succeed then why stab us in the back, why they keep harrassing us, just because id rather skate than be a passenger, forget a bus or a car im a star on my board just me my self and I dont need no courts, just some hot skate spots, love park had lots of fans around the world way before they made us stop,”

109. BarfSkatesNocturnal said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 11:22PM

“i was there the day of the wedding incident, and after the drunk groom yelled "next skater to skate by here is getting fucked up" that was the point where i started to skate by him, if that ass wouldnt have been such a dick this whole thing would have been avioded.”

110. Wayne said... on Jun 17, 2009 at 11:36PM

“Alex is my favorite type of person. Why would you care if your uncle got paid for something that gets ruined? He's making money off someone ruining something..... I'd do that any day of the week!”

111. FUCKFACE said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 01:43AM

“The real issue isn't the skateboarder/cop relationship, the real issue is the cops abusing their power and getting away with it. The skateboarders will always barge illegal spots no matter what, it is just the name of the game. KEEP SKATEBOARDING ILLEGAL.”

112. Anonymous said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 03:10AM

“before the skaters were there people were afraid to even walk in love park because of all the drug dealers! we made love it to what it is today you should all be happy what skateboarding has done for all of philly especially with the x games that made $25 million for the city itself!!!”

113. Jen Lunaite said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 08:52AM

“Alex: Zeke is not interested in you. He's my man now! He needs a big tough smart girl like me..not a girl like you who carries around pepper spray!

Zeke: See you next Saturday! I got some fur boots last night :)

Johnny C: You should join us at love park next Saturday.”

114. Canadian said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 08:53AM

“As someone who has ridden a "toy" since 1959 the negative comments here are a joke. There are no losers involved and if the nay sayers made a fraction of what the top skaters made the would jump for joy.A sick police state inflicting untold harm on those they are paid to protect”

115. tonka tits said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 09:30AM

“i Have a video of my friend getting tackled by 5 cops and pushed on the ground.”

116. Zeke said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 10:25AM

“"you are still a loser especially when you inflate yourslef with these needless accolades to yourself."

Calling the Redundancy Department of Redundancy...”

117. yourmoma said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 10:43AM

“GOD BLESS AMERICA.”

118. Adam Foizen said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 11:00AM

“Hey lets alienate the youth even more in this city! Thats a great idea, continue the drain from the city. Maybe if CC looked more like Kensington, the officials would be looking to skateboarding to improve it. Or the cops wouldn't give a shit. Or people would come from the suburbs to buy their heroin. It seems to me that the business people in those towers who lke to spend 25 minutes eating lunch, then drive off to their McMansion in the burbs mean more than the residents who think skating is no big deal and should be supported. POPS is the future, volunteer. The more parks we build, and they are not cookie cutter skate wave b%llsh@t, these parks are built with blood, sweat, by volunteers!!! They deserve respect, and they are doing more to legalize LOVE than anybody. THese places will show that Sk8ing does more good than harm. Support our children, for they are the ones who will be taking care of us in our old age. Masonry and metal can be replaced, a life cannot.”

119. Adam Foizen said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 11:12AM

“Why is skating more attractive then other sports? Because it is the future, and it appeals to our evolution as a species. It stimuates our brain in a way your sport does not. It takes a lot more guts to skate, and commit to a trick than it does to play baseball. These people are magicians and they create wonders that defy gravity. We should rejoice, for they are pushing our species forward. They are the new ideas, the new frontier. They will win the conflict for they have time on their side. Old thought will go the way of the dinosaurs, and criminalizing our youth is getting pretty old. I am no youth, but the youth can't vote, so it is up to us older skaters to stand up and fight for what is right.”

120. Dave Rankin said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 11:22AM

“Used to skate LOVE, the Concourse and City Hall in '90 until my board was confiscated. Loved being there, and loved those places except for the prevalent bum piss stench everywhere. Skateboarding is not a crime.”

121. Balco said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 11:27AM

“Not to mention the fact that we don't need to pull a Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez, A-Rod, Shawne Merriman etc. to get the job done. Great role models they are.

”

122. Josh said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 12:08PM

“Skateboarding at LOVE is definitely still huge point of contention. 127 comments already!!”

123. vinnie.. said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 12:11PM

“cops are scum..they do more bad than good..”

124. Alex said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 12:42PM

“I am a skateboarder: I smoke pot, I have no ambition, I like to destroy things and I like to break the law even though the LAW says I cannot skate at Love Park.”

125. SkateNerd said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 01:11PM

“Wow, some great comments here. Why should skateboarding be legal:

1. It's healthy and burns about 400 Calories and hour.2. It's free to do, once you purchase $100 skateboard.3. It encourages social activity that crosses all boundaries.4. It is an activity other then abusing your body and mind with drugs.5. It's an art form.6. When encouraged it promotes commerce.7. It's fun.”

126. SkateNerd said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 01:15PM

“What's amazing about Love park is that something as simple as a properly designed and detailed bench can provide years of healthy entertainment. Yet in the City of Philadelphia we do not have a single bench to spare. Consider your daily footprint on this planet creating pollution just to get too and from your favorite form of entertainment and compare that to the damage a skateboarder is causing to a bench. Hmmmmm...”

127. Lemonade Stand said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 01:28PM

“I think you might want to include "carries pepper spray" in that list.”

128. Brian said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 02:10PM

“you people are all 'tards.

cops are beat & the ledges are done anyway.”

129. Brian said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 02:11PM

“130. we should hang out!”

130. Zeke said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 02:13PM

“I am Alex: I am bitter because Septa keeps revoking my trans pass and I want every skateboarder in Philadelphia to know.”

131. jreich said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 02:22PM

“lmao @ 139”

132. Anonymous said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 03:08PM

“It's awesome. I'm sure one day soon some video will get posted of cop tasering some 14 year old skateboarder. Someone was has to be the martyr in this drama. Maybe someone will realize that kids are trying to enjoy themselves creatively. When Chris Cole does a 360 ollie into the Love fountain and it's placed on youtube or released as a video and gets a million eyeballs what do you think is going to happen? Can't fight the will of the people. They tried with civil rights (they failed). They are trying now with gay marriage (losing that war). The only way they'll do it with Love Park is they totally jackhammer the place - although it wouldn't make for great wedding pics. Even if they did jackhammer the place, the Municipal Building is just across the street. Maybe if the anti-skateboarding contingent put out some youtube videos (how about that wedding scene?), maybe start a few magazines, and build up your plight, you might be able to get some sympathizers.”

133. SkateNerd said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 03:43PM

“The whole idea of being "anti-skateboarding" is quite ridiculous.”

134. Brent said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 04:01PM

“Complaining about curse words in an argument/discussion means that you have no meaningful response. Become a fucking adult and deal with the fact that most people aren't lame enough to be offended by certain combinations of letters that can be used to effectively convey what the author is saying.”

135. NOTHUGCOPS.COM said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 04:09PM

“Police are useless against real crime, so they get their ego fix harassing people and bullying kids. Instead of messing with skaters maybe cops should try policing their own. They won't though, that's why law enforcement is the official profession of bullies, dummies, pedophiles, sex offenders, liars and wife beaters. How many cops end up in jail for serious offences? Alot more the you think. Educate yourself and others on this issue. Read about it Policecrimes.com and Gainesnet.com/police.”

136. driving said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 05:34PM

“this is killing me.”

137. Thank You PW for this article said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 05:42PM

“This is a great story. I was unaware of this problem. However the cop interviewed for the article, Captain Wilson, is nothing but a bold faced liar. He says the majority of these skaters are adults--adult vandals to be exact. Uh, like many I've seen these skaters and they are not adults, they are children and teens. The cover of PW speaks for itself. Captain Wilson is one dumb pig. He obviously has no idea what he's talking about and yet he expects the public to believe him! Good job cops. Steal the taxpayers money so you can beat up kids and teach them to hate you when there's real crime in this city. And then they wonder why people hate them. Cops are LOSERS!!”

138. Anonymous said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 05:58PM

“I'm sick of this crap!”

139. Brandon said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 05:58PM

“I think i've found great succcess??? hopefully”

140. Tom said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 06:15PM

“The city seems to have been at war with kids for a long time. Used to be people could hang on the corners. Now they get "moved along". Let me ask a question: why is it we fear our kids?

As far as skating goes there is a valid point that Love Park was more or less abandoned before the skaters took it over. Suddenly it got a name and became important and the skaters got chased out. But not before the city promised to build a skate park by the Schuylkill. This never happened and it doesnt look like it ever will.

So the skaters tried building their own areas under I 95. I used to watch them and talk to them while walking my dog. There was no drinking, hardly any smoking. And the most amazing thing is how so many kids were able to not only tolerate being near each other but encourage each other and work with each other. But then came the cleaning crews that took the ramps and everything else they had built away. Why? They were out of everybody's way and hurting nothing. Why weren't they just left alone?

I went through something similar with highway patrol cops back in the day when they were told to crack down on motorcyclists. Before motorcycles were investments. The city and the police department should really rethink their approach to this. We should embrace all our kids. Not just the ones we understand and control. Maybe if we actually embrace these kids instead of marginalizing them they will accomplish great things using the discipline they built learning to do their tricks. And yeah it takes discipline.”

141. Great Story PW said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 06:19PM

“Cops are chasing down kids with tasers drawn for SKATE BOARDING??!! I bet these pigs stuff 20 donuts in their faces and then go home and beat their wives. One of these days a cop will cross the line and some parent will come after them. Until then, stop messing with other peoples kids and GET A REAL JOB PIG SCUM! Oh wait, they can't. Cops have NO BRAINS SO THEY GO FOR THE BADGE!”

142. Wayne said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 06:30PM

“I'm Alex, I collect rocks and mail stamps and stay inside all day. I have no social drive and rarely talk to girls. By age 30, my hairline will recede and I will begin an early mid life crisis to impress some people. Eventually, I will ruin my life with concoctions of pills and alcohol to relieve the pain inside of me.”

143. Ron Burgundy said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 07:32PM

“Go f*ck yourself Philadelphia!”

144. Mass Local said... on Jun 18, 2009 at 10:50PM

“This isn't getting solved by bickering on the internet. I am a Massachusetts local shredder that came to LOVE and experienced the excessive force that the Philly cops had to offer. They acted so far out of line. One asshole threw me into a bush and wrote a citation that they claimed would go to my home in MA but never came. He was a douche bag on a power trip. Fuck everyone that doesn't understand why we shred. Skating won't die, but a cop or mayor that says we can't skate will die. SHRED! ALL HAIL CARDIEL!!!”

145. Tom said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 03:13AM

“I'm a skateboarder from australia. Even all the way from australia I have seen and heard all arguments for love park. Growing up as a skateboard I have always wanted to go to love and experience it for myself. Aside from the xgames bringing revenue to philly , there are many of us around the world wanting to travel to your city which in turn helps your tourism. If I can't skate at love park, i'm not going to come to your city. And from what I have heard when skaters aren't there, people won't walk through because they are scared of the drug dealers/homeless people inhabiting love. Also DC shoes offered to pay the costs of damages caused by skateboarders for 10 years...how is that not a good deal??? As for the fighting and the skaters throwing the first punch, not every skater is like that and it's placing us all in a stereotype which we do not belong. By the way I have been skateboarding for 10 years, and have a very successfull career outside of skateboarding.”

146. Mysticalskateboarding.com said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 08:37AM

“Ignorance and lack of communication! Our city is too ignorant to understand what its youth wants and needs. Our city is too ignorant to understand all the benefits’ skateboarding provides. So, Instead of taking the time to sit down and talk they declare war and jeopardize the lives of both themselves and skateboarders along with spending countless tax dollars playing cat and mouse. How fucking stupid can you be?

The city needs to understand that skateboarding contributes more to the economy than the expense of broken marble tiles or cheap ass Planters. What about all the revenue skateboarding generates? Teams from around the world used to fly into Philadelphia stay in its hotels and eat at its restaurants just to film in the park. Large companies would offer big money to host contest in the park. The Fucking parks designer and architect supported skateboarding in the park. Numerous kids who perfected their skills in the park went on to Professional careers in the industry and even opened skateboarding businesses in the city. Skateboarders buy drinks, and food. Even provide a sense of security for all the stuck up snobs who live around the park when they walk their little shit dogs at night. We fucking live in the city too!

This war is between the city of Philadelphia and it skateboarding community, and not Joe fucking blow who knows very little about the two. At 38 years old and still skateboarding I take great offense to all the dumb fucks that would consider me a loser. Would I still be a loser hanging out at the corner bar drinking cheering on the Eagles, Golfing, Basketball, or Softball instead of sk8ing Sunday afternoons? No I’m a skateboarder and have been for some time. I’m also a college graduate, banker, business owner, homeowner, husband and father. Skateboarding gives me the sense of freedom I need to be happy. So anyone who thinks there’s an age limit to skateboarding is just plain stupid.

I could go on and on about this and would love to have the opportunity to do so. But I know this is neither the time nor place since there are so many haters who haven’t got a clue. My advice to my fellow skaters is to do whatever needs to be done, and don’t allow any fucking law or ordinance take away your freedom. I’m pretty sure that’s the attitude used in building this great country!!!

SKATE!!!!

”

147. Wilkinson said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 08:53AM

“You want the definition of loser? Well here it is:

1. Going to Center City on New Years day as an excuse to dress like an idiot and get completely inebriated while acting like a buffoon.

2. Going to Center City dressed entirely in green in order to catch a school bus to every Irish Pub in the area in order to get completely inebriated and like a buffoon.

Did you see the piles of puke and urine on the ground on these days? Not to mention all the immature losers stumbling around drunk acting like idiots trying to keep their college glory days (or the ones they didn’t have) alive? Great Googly-Moogly!

And yet, the city sanctions this.”

148. Wilkinson said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 08:54AM

“Oh, and being off-duty and throwing peanut shells @ homeless people while completely inebriated. But I won't name names.”

149. Wilkinson said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 09:00AM

“...and let's not forget being completely inebriated and throwing peanut shells at homeless people when off-duty. But I won't name names...”

150. Donkey Hater said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 09:33AM

“What is your solution to this problem? The article is devoted to villifying the police for attempting to enforce the law while representing the skaters as victims. Love Park, Comcast center and other commercial plaza's were not contructed for the use of skaters. To insinuate that they have some right to these areas is absurd. If there is such a large market for this activity, why doesn't someone, such as the skate shop ower, buy some land in the city and build a skate park.

If the skaters don't want to be mis-treated by police, try obeying the law. The skaters are aware they are breaking the law. They have forced police into elevating their tactics to deal with this problem. If our board riding friends would stop using the public areas for their enjoyment as instructed, there would be no need for any further action. But beyond ignoring the law, they flee when confronted. I'd enjoy hearing your polite and friendly approach to dealing with this.”

151. Alex said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 09:55AM

“Mysticalskateboarder: I am amused you take offense to the fact that at 38 yrs. of age and being and doing all the things you claim that you still think it is OK to break the law and skateboard at Love Park. What a great role model you are. As a "business owner" do you also break the law by not sending in payroll taxes? Do you as a "father" encourage you children to break laws as well. I stand by my position: If you know it is against the law to skate at Love Park and you do it anyway, then you deserve whatever the cops do to you. You guys are like raoches, when the lights get turned on or in this case the cops show up, you scatter. The picture of you losers running away from the cops: PUSSY MOVE.”

152. Jurij Turnsek said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 10:00AM

“What everyone here is forgetting is DC shoes offering 1 million $ for restoration of LOVE park if skateboarding because legal there... and that was quite a few years ago. Nowadays, with skateboarding being so popular, a group of the strongest skateboard companies could practically buy the park.

Someone should make some statistic about how many non-skaters actually go there (or went before remodeling).

I hope many parents decide to go there on Go Skateboarding Day and bring their cameras - Land of the free my a**.”

153. alex said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 10:08AM

“To quote from the mysticalskateboarderloser: "and don’t allow any fucking law or ordinance take away your freedom". So to everyone: ignore the laws do whatever the hell you please!That mentality is why the general public looks down on you skatebaorders. You are outnumbered. As a group you are smaller than a pimple on a flea's ass. Give it up. This middle-finger attitude is something you share with those other creeps in the corner of Love Park over at 16th & JFK - the bike messengers. Look over there, they are over there getting high and figuring out a way to deliver their pot to their customers. You are probably one of those customers.”

154. SkateNerd said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 10:16AM

“Alex, it's sad to see you make general comments like you have. Dragging in other people, the bike messengers, is just flat out wrong. They have nothing to do with this discussion. This is about the future of public space and keeping a city vibrant while giving young people something healthy to do with their free time. This nation was founded on making change and standing for what you believe in.

“When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.” - Thomas Jefferson”

155. alex said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 10:27AM

“OK Nerdman, you can dribble all you want. Get a clue and follow the law. What's sadder is watching you pathetic morons ruin what was once a beautiful open space. Your MO is to go anywhere you can and skate until you are chased away. Cowards! Your actions have driven away people from that place. I hope the cops pounce on you guys every day, the best you can do is run away. All this tough talk against the police, when face-to-face with one of them all you'll do is piss your pants.”

156. Zeke said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 10:44AM

“Alex shouldn't be taken seriously. He (still can't believe it's a guy) responds to people with comments about sleeping with their mothers (real mature buddy), tries to intimidate them on the internet with talk of weapons he owns (FYI: I enjoy trips to the range too.), and makes horrible generalizations about people using language not characteristic of anyone well-educated. To top it off, he feels the need to carry pepper spray, which in his words is a real "P---- MOVE".

Oh, and your uncle's Bell Atlantic Tower masonry job: sub par, definitely have seen better. Whoever skated it afterwards did the building a favor. Maybe you should stick to handing out flyers in front of Devil's Alley or Del Frisco's.”

157. Johnny C said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 12:22PM

“Alex, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

”

158. robro86 said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 12:25PM

“See alex, we're not outnumbered. that's your first mistake. look up love park on wikipedia or youtube. I don't see the anti-skate videos. Second mistake - just because it's illegal doesn't mean that it's wrong. drinking alcohol was once illegal. Marrying someone of a different race was illegal. Allowing women to vote was illegal. We're here to expose the hypocracies of the world. War on drugs?! Not when moms sneak their kids Adderall. Not when cops run pass a drug dealer to taser a skater. Give it up. Your like your parents yelling at you to turn down that "racket." You're too old. Mentally. You'll never understand. Nike's giving out million dollar contracts to skaters. What the hell does that have to do with bike messengers? You're delusional.”

159. Zeke said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 12:49PM

“Johnny C, you get a gold star for that Billy Madison reference. I haven't laughed this hard at a comment on here since Alex admitted to being male.”

160. Mysticalskateboarding.com said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 01:23PM

“Wow! Alex, are you going to start hating on the Blacks, Asians, and Jews too? I bet you have hard feelings towards anyone who doesn't look and act like you huh? Guess your perfect and better than everyone else. You and everyone else like you are hypocrites, and as for me being a role model, Hell yeah! Kids, stand up for what you believe no matter what the odds, and if you truly love something never let it go. Just because someone says it’s a law doesn’t make it right. Love park is a public space built and designed for the people of Philadelphia and its guest. I’m sure more money is wasted chasing sk8ters away than it would cost to maintain. The city is being unreasonable and ignoring our request. Free LOVE park!”

161. Miss Lippy said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 02:09PM

“my car is green”

162. Adam Foizen said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 02:30PM

“Again PW thanks for doing good journalism here as you can see by the responses.

Alex, if you are an accurate representation of the opposition to skating LOVE, your cause is lost. You sound worse than the Republican Party. Wake up already. Skating is here to stay and it is only going to get bigger.You and your kind are outta here, slowly but surely.

Skaters, this is the moment to seize. Register to vote. If you are not old enough, volunteer your time to push this over the edge. We can achieve a compromise now, and use our vote to show how united our community is. We need to get creative and do things as they have never been done. How about elected officials who skate or have kids who skate?

I believe in your collective ability and strength, united we will never be defeated”

163. Zombie Kid said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 03:01PM

“I like turtles.”

164. SkateNerd said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 03:07PM

““OK Nerdman, you can dribble all you want. Get a clue and follow the law." I can not believe you are posting like this. I have more then just one clue and I know plenty of people just like you. People in urban planning call you "NIMBY" Not In My Back Yard. You complain because you can. You hate because you can. I do have experience in working with the city, not breaking the law and in advocating for skateboarding in a calm, civilized and legal manner. My work has been applauded by skaters and city officials alike. You are the one who needs a knowledge upgrade.”

165. Anonymous said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 03:25PM

“this ever going battle of love park is about a stupid peice of wood. GET OVER IT. These cops are starting a war on something so ridiculous. What are they trying to prove? Go back to your job and do something about the drug dealers buying off little kids and the child molesters.”

166. Anonymous said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 03:32PM

“I LOVE HEARING that my tax dollars are well spent on employing fat cops running around tazing kids.with peices of wood at a park where crack dealers hang out all day. We should propose the city to build a fence around the park and 24-7 military watch. Might be cheaper.”

167. Anonymous said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 03:44PM

“I usually comment on these ridiculous power struggle stories between cops vs skaters defending the skaters, but not this time. I'm not going to read this four page article and the follow up comments because I dont need to outrage myself on yet again another failed system of America when theres still people homeless in Louisiana and child trafficking all around the globe. Its security vs freedom and society is only damaging itself by letting cops believe this kind of power abuse is valid. And to all the people defending the cops; Dont be suprised when your rights are in a gray area but the punishment is all black.”

168. Larry Lawbreaker said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 03:48PM

“If you see the cops coming when you're skating just sit on a bench, pick up a crackpipe, and piss your pants. Scatter a little garbage around youself to really seal the deal. The cops won't even look twice at you!”

169. ALL HAIL CARDİEL said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 03:50PM

“ALL HAIL CARDİEL”

170. oh my goodness said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 04:02PM

“Cops are abusing their power and taking a cheap shot at the group that is already weak in society. Sound familiar? a little man named Hitler used this as a war tactic and targeted the weakest ethnic group in history to create a distraction while he went on his little quest to invade Russia. Hadn't a little so and so stepped in and stopped this Debacle(coming soon to dvd) this little man with a shit stache would have invaded half the world while everyone sat on their ass and would have been a model citizen shining bright as the stars.

and this was before the interweb.”

171. ShackleMeNot said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 04:11PM

“To oh my goodness:

It gives me hope to see skaters today using their brains instead of just their feet.

I hope there is more of your kind in the modern era of skateboarding.”

172. saddened said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 04:18PM

“love park makes me think of anthony pappalardo makes me think of gino iannuci makes me think of Keenan Milton makes me think of Harold Hunter makes me think of Shane Cross makes me think of Van wastell ultimately makes me think of Johnny Romano makes me think of every skate brand and skater uniting to celebrate this little man that fought the most epic battle in life to survive through the board under his feet and through everyone he ever touched.

These heroes continue to touch us.

So fight all you want in this stupid battle. Because to us, there is so much more.”

Now this is a city that gets it! The city of Vancouver, BC has declared June 15th -22nd as “Skateboarding Week.” Skateboarding has come along way in Vancouver, it was only ten years ago when skateboarders were ticketed routinely and their boards were confiscated. It’s great to see a city working with the youth and trying its best to support their activities.

This is just one example; Europe has always been kind to skateboarding.

Its 2009 get with the program Philadelphia.”

174. Wayne said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 09:19PM

“I'm Alex, I collect rocks and mail stamps and stay inside all day. I have no social drive and rarely talk to girls. By age 30, my hairline will recede and I will begin an early mid life crisis to impress some people. Eventually, I will ruin my life with concoctions of pills and alcohol to relieve the pain inside of me.”

175. John said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 09:26PM

“Let me get this straight. Today this city had a thug armed with an uzi robbing people in West Philly. Last week some psychopath raped an 11 year old girl in Kensington. What do the dumbass philly cops do to police "Killadelphia"? They focus on petty stuff like this. Couple of months ago I was walking past some kind of hippy festival near Love park. The cop walking in had a look of pure hate on his face. These people were not the criminal element. Cops are f-ing braindead and somebody needs to reign them in.”

176. jimmy g said... on Jun 21, 2009 at 04:44PM

“MAYBE IF JOHN STREETS CREW COULD GARNER SOME BACKDOOR WAGES OUT OF THE DEAL SKATING WOULDA BEEN ALLOWED THERE. YOUD THINK IN A CITY THAT LOOKS AS UGLY AND DISGUSTING WITH CRIME, DRUGS, AND MURDER RATES AS HIGH AS THE DAMN EIFFEL TOWER, NUTTER WOULD GET HIS HEAD OUT HIS ASS AND MAKE SOME CHANGES. HALF OF THE CITY IS ABANDONED, AND RUN DOWN, WHILE SKATING IS ONE OF THE ONLY THINGS BRINGING SOME PROGRESSIVE UPLIFTING TO CENTER CITY.PHILADELPHIA POLICE DEPT. PLEASE GO MAKE SOME ARRESTS TOWARDS THE GUN SLINGING HOODLUMS GUNNING DOWN YOUR YOUTH AND POLICE OFFICERS AND LET THESE DAMN KIDS PARTICIPATE IN ONE OF THE ONLY POSITIVE ACTIVITIES THE CITY HAS GOING FOR IT.”

177. jose rod said... on Jun 21, 2009 at 04:54PM

“Philadelphia is one of the hoodest cities in America and is basically run down outside of that 15 square block area considered "Center City." Clearly, center city isnt the area these close minded corrupt police officials need to be monitoring.Whats the crime rate at this point? What has the murder rate been at over the past three years? I have a suggestion. Clear Nutter's corrupt John Street influenced policy making administration out of there and maybe things might change downtown.I swear the mindset in Philadelphia is 10 year behind the rest of the world making Philly the new Baltimore. Nutter, youre successfully running Philly into the ground with bullshit like this.”

178. Serpico Charlie said... on Jun 22, 2009 at 10:47AM

“Four Paddy Wagons, patrol cars everywhere, and officers stationed on every corner. You would have thought someone called in a bomb threat at Love Park yesterday. What I did see was a homeless man steal a girl's camera. The girl notified the patrolling officers while crying hysterically. The officers confronted the man who in turn adamantly denied it then immediately fled the scene with his bike and bag of possessions. At least they got paid to stand around or sit in a police van while reading a poorly-written Philadelphia Weekly article which failed to include tolerance for murder, robbery, and open-air drug trade in a public park. Nice work Philadelphia, what a tremendous waste of resources and man-power.”

179. alex's friend said... on Jun 22, 2009 at 07:19PM

“my name is Alex and I used to love having my late night flings with the rest of society hill's finest at Love Park. At least until the skaters showed up and blew our spot up.Now, weve relocated back to Shampoo nightclub for our sunday night meet up.See, we used to blend in with the crackheads and drug dealers that hang out there. Since the skaters showed up,theyve shed light and put some public use to the park putting an end to our late night male and male blow job missions.thank you skateboarders”

180. chris said... on Jun 22, 2009 at 07:24PM

“I skateboard and grew up at love park.graduated from a philadelphia university and make over 100 thousand a year and pay taxes to the city of philadelphia, and the state of pennsylvania. please name any other attribute of philadelphia that has brought people from ALL OVER THE GLOBE to one square block of the city.its 2009,no one wants to see a needle infested penns landing, a old broken bell, or any of the other hundreds of run down blocks in the city.give the youth their freedom and LOVE PARK.”

181. Tom said... on Jun 23, 2009 at 12:05AM

“I agree with chris, I live in australia and plan on coming to love park in the near future. If it wasn't for skateboarding at love park I would not be interested in coming to philly, therefore your tourism would suffer. And from the doco's I have seen, no one went to love park when the skaters weren't there because they were afraid of the drug dealers, homeless ect...I have been skateboarding for almost 10 years and am now 22 years old and have never witnessed hate firsthand against me or my friends. How can something so positive and pure be rejected by police and people in general. Skateboarding has no boundries, theres no racism, people don't make fun of people for what they wear or how they wear it, we hang together as brothers.”

182. Micheal Langan said... on Jun 23, 2009 at 02:50PM

“the mayor is making things so difficult for skaters, police and everyone. this is retarded! where is the LOVE? "("169. Larry Lawbreaker said... on Jun 19, 2009 at 03:48PM“If you see the cops coming when you're skating just sit on a bench, pick up a crackpipe, and piss your pants. Scatter a little garbage around youself to really seal the deal. The cops won't even look twice at you!”) I lived in vancouver for a couple years and cops would bust me for sk8ing, but across the street there would be a dude selling crack to some guy. It just doesn't make any sense, or does it? I hope one day Love park will be open to Phillies local thrashers :) BE STRONG MY FELLOW BROTHERS!

Much Love From Micheal in Regina, SK ”

183. Zeropolis skateshop France said... on Jun 23, 2009 at 02:55PM

“Love Park was one of the most attractive place in the world for skateboarding but haters can't understand that 'cause they don't like anything…I'm agree that it can disturb some but Philly must have worst problems to deal with, isn't it?”

184. Joel shillabeer said... on Jun 23, 2009 at 06:54PM

“skateboarding should continue to grow as it is already and also skaters should be able to skate at love park”

185. 34 Year Old Skater said... on Jun 23, 2009 at 07:51PM

“It's seems that no one had a chance to skate LOVE Park this year, thanks to this article? Who knows. It's amazing that an article about LOVE Park in our local paper is being responded to by skaters and supports from all over the world. Philadelphia, please take note... LOVE is a pot of gold for tourism. Please reconsider the "Balanced Solution" plan. You have nothing to loose, only gain. ushistory.org/lovepark”

186. smokeyjoe said... on Jun 24, 2009 at 06:55AM

“I love the fact that I read so much energy and rationalization written by people who know they are breaking the law when skating at Love Park. And all this tough talk by you guys, where was the big crowd over the weekend to take over Love Park whether cops were there or not? I guess your mommy and daddy told you to be home that day, they probably bought the skateboard!”

187. Fire Extinguisher said... on Jun 24, 2009 at 08:24AM

“You are right, most of their parents probably did. Why be mad at kids for having parents that love them? This city has bigger problems to worry about. I don't know about you, but I saw plenty of kids enjoying themselves that day.”

188. robro said... on Jun 24, 2009 at 06:08PM

“smokeyjoe - you're silly. Think of it kind of like what's going on in Iran. It's called a "cause." People break the law for "causes". I'm sure you never drove over 65, jaywalked, or danced in a non cabaret licensed bar. You're surely outnumbered on this board. Keep coming tho. It's amusing.”

189. smokeyjoe said... on Jun 25, 2009 at 06:54AM

“This is about a cause? How could I be so stupid. I forgot, you guys are "the give me liberty or give me death" crowd. Get back to your algebra, school starts up again in few months. Make your mommy and daddy feel proud that the money their spending to put you in private school isn't a waste.”

190. Hi Alex said... on Jun 25, 2009 at 08:23AM

“Someone's a little bitter aren't they? With all the energy some of these turkeys put into all of their posts regarding something so miniscule compared to this city's real problems, one would think they were picked on by skateboarders in high school (a funny thought nonetheless).Are you not part of the "liberty or death" crowd? That is what this country was founded on after all. Maybe America is not for you. I know Philadelphia could do without the likes of you and your kind. Oh, and with the state of education in this city, I would have no qualms about putting my kids in a private school.”

191. A Mother said... on Jun 27, 2009 at 11:15PM

“As a parent I continually advise my child to stay out of LOVE. My only reason for this is that I don't want him to get killed by a car or ticked by a police officer. I stumbled across this article and it upsets me. The parks been around forever.... had daily lunches there... always watched skateboarders, people on bikes...tourists in amazement of the goings on in the park. This is the city of brotherly love why not just meet the skaters half way. Make it Saturday, Sundays , and some holidays. Kids need to express themselves, earn responsibilities, and learn to follow rules. So set some times, with some rules, and let them grow. What do you have to loose?”

192. eskimo joe said... on Jun 28, 2009 at 08:08AM

““Every day at least twice a day people will come down and be like, ‘Whoa, we just got chased out—they came in through every angle. Every entrance was a cop coming in,’” says Brandstetter." That about says it all for these pea brains. Open season with baseball bats coming soon.”

193. ha said... on Jun 28, 2009 at 09:23PM

“to eskimo joe: So what you're trying to say is that skaters are Pea Brains? Explain?”

194. Tom said... on Jun 29, 2009 at 08:42PM

“"open season with baseball bats coming soon"? so you need weapons to fight people, your such a big man eskimo joe. Can't even fight like a man. I hope you try to hurt someone and go to prison, your the type of scum they should lock up, not skateboarders.”

195. PurpleDragon :) said... on Jul 27, 2010 at 08:39AM

“That's unbelievable.. I can't stand how authority cares very little about what needs to be taken care of like, when someone calls to police to prevent a fight or trouble or maybe drugs or possibly rape.. But they fucking break there necks to give people tickets for running a yellow light or skateboarding in public. What type of shit is that?? WTF are we supposed to skate in our house?? I hate police.. They never do shit right, they need to go to hell.. >:( And I totally agree with Moses Jiggetts' comment about how cops need to calm down because I'm sure skate boarding is much more constructive than drug dealing.. >:(”

196. Joseff Filamor said... on Nov 14, 2012 at 11:19AM

“Captain Wilson: It’s a minor crime but it’s fair to call them criminals. Are you serious? So now i'm a criminal? I have been skating for 4 years now and skateboarding is not even a crime at all. Cops need to stop profiling and go after the true criminals. Honestly, there are some skaters to cross the line when dealing with the cops, but when one skater mouths-off, then the police assume every skater is a hoodlum.”

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